Author's name given at head of fol. [3] recto (=A3 recto) as: Apianus

Illustrated title page, with two woodcuts, one a frame surrounding the title, the other circular, with printed text on bottom left and right

Reference in title is to Emperor Charles V to whom and his brother, King Ferdinand I, this work is dedicated

Imprint from colophon, printed in reverse (mirror image)

Signatures: A-G⁴(±G2, G3+chi1) H-I⁴ k⁴ L-N⁴ O⁶ (-O6) chi2-chi3 (chi2 verso, chi3 verso blank)

38 full page text illustrations, 22 of them with volvelles (moving discs), many also with centrally attached silk threads. Volvelles are foundon the recto of leaves B3, C1, C3, D1, D3, E1, E2, E4, F2, F3, F4, chi1, G4, k3, k4, L1, L2, L3, L4, M1 and M3 and the verso of leaf G3. Additionally, a large number of smaller text illustrations are present

"Without doubt ... the most luxurious and intrinsically beautiful scientific book that has ever been produced" -- Derek de Solla Price

Fol. [60] recto (=chi3 recto) dated: Ratisbona, die vigesima quarta mensis Iulii, Anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo quadragesimo primo [Regensburg, 24 July 1541] and signed: Carolus. This leaf is lacking in many copies

Cf. Price, D. de S. Science, 1967 p. 104; Gingerich, O. "Early astronomical books with moving parts", AB Bookman's Weekly p. 1507-1508, October 23, 1989

Includes index

Text divided into two parts; the second part has two alternative titles: Meteoroscopium planum Apiam (fol. [49] recto = M4 recto) and: Astronomici cæsarei per Petrum Apianum concinnati pars secunda (fol. [49] verso = M4 verso)

Grässe

Stillwell, M.B. Science

Kramer, I.E. Die wunderbare Neue Welt

Ortroy, F. van Bib. de l'oeuvre de Pierre Apian

Houzeau & Lancaster

Freitag, R.S. Halley's Comet

John Carter Brown Library copy, bound in contemporary vellum, imperfect: lacks volvelles on fol. [9] recto (=C1 recto). Most illustrations hand colored. Copy includes both cancellandum leaf -[26] (=-G2) and cancellans leaf +[26] (=+G2)

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